The Denver Broncos' historic playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills was brutally overshadowed by a devastating injury to their star quarterback, Bo Nix. In a dramatic AFC Divisional clash that ended 33-30 in overtime, Nix suffered a broken ankle that will end his season and require surgery.
The Moment of Disaster in Overtime
The horrific incident was captured live on the CBS broadcast during a crucial play in overtime. With just over six minutes remaining, on a first-and-10 from the Buffalo 36-yard line, Nix attempted a quarterback run. He was tackled by Bills safety Cole Bishop for a loss of two yards, a seemingly routine play that turned catastrophic.
Nix was sent flying over Bishop's back before slamming hard onto the turf. Remarkably, the second-year quarterback got back to his feet and, despite a noticeable limp, remained in the game. On the very next play, he threw a deep pass to Marvin Mims Jr. that drew a critical 30-yard pass interference penalty, setting up the Broncos for the game-winning field goal.
It was only after the final whistle, with the pulsating victory secured, that the full extent of the damage became clear. Head coach Sean Payton confirmed to media that Nix had fractured his ankle on that fateful run, just plays before the team's triumphant finish.
Payton Confirms Surgery and Praises Nix's Resilience
Payton revealed that Nix will undergo surgery to repair the fracture on Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama. The coach shared a poignant moment from the aftermath, describing Nix sitting in a hallway with his family, displaying remarkable fortitude.
'He's such a strong, faith-based guy,' Payton said. 'He knows that God's got a plan for him.' Payton even joked that Nix revealed he had suffered similar ankle breaks in high school and at Auburn, quipping, 'if I had known that I wouldn't have drafted you.'
Stidham Steps Up for AFC Championship Challenge
The injury thrusts backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham into the spotlight for the Broncos' first AFC Championship game appearance since 2015. Stidham, who has not thrown a regular-season pass since 2023, will start against either the New England Patriots or Houston Texans next weekend.
Payton expressed confidence in his understudy, stating plainly, 'He is ready. We'll be ready for the next challenge.' The Broncos, now 8-3 in conference title games historically, will aim to channel the spirit of their 2015 Super Bowl-winning run.
For the Buffalo Bills and their quarterback Josh Allen, the defeat marks another agonising playoff exit. This was their sixth consecutive season being knocked out in the divisional or championship rounds, prolonging the franchise's wait for a first Lombardi Trophy.
